Chapter 10

Guan Shan Yue watched the interaction between Zong Xing Yi and Zhong Nian, then chuckled.

“Xing Yi, aren’t you always the most excited about the boxing matches? Why didn’t you watch much tonight?”

Zong Xing Yi didn’t even look up. “Yeah, we’ll talk about it later…”

He casually acknowledged the comment before continuing to read Zhong Nian’s palm.

What Zhong Nian said matched almost exactly what Guan Shan Yue had said earlier.

Especially the love line.

“You’ll meet a really great partner. Don’t miss it—seize the opportunity.”

When Zong Xing Yi said this, his expression was sincere, utterly serious as he stared straight at Zhong Nian.

If the spoiled young masters in the next box over saw this, their jaws would hit the floor.

When had this eccentric, hot-tempered Eldest Young Master ever used such petty tricks to flirt so earnestly?

The thing Zong Xing Yi hated most was promiscuity. He didn’t touch women, and even when people sent him young men, he kicked them out just the same.

Forget touching—he even found it repulsive to see people around him getting intimate right under his nose, so others restrained themselves in his presence and hid if they wanted to fool around.

Rumor had it in their circle that this was because of his father, who sowed his seed everywhere and couldn’t control his lower half. His mother had suffered deeply from the emotional torment and died depressed.

Yet now, he was using these clumsy, laughable little tricks to connect with someone, completely oblivious to how red his own face was, thinking his acting was perfectly natural.

Zhong Nian naturally saw through it, but he was too lazy to call him out.

In his eyes, this Eldest Young Master was a bit foolish and easy to handle.

So he asked directly, “Zong Shao, have you made enemies with anyone?”

Zong Xing Yi’s subtle movements of pinching the boy’s finger bones paused, and his expression visibly darkened.

Zhong Nian thought he’d touched on something offensive, but Zong Xing Yi corrected him with utmost seriousness. “Wrong name.”

“…”

Zhong Nian fell silent, cleared his throat, and smoothly changed his address before asking again. “Zong Xing Yi, have you made enemies with anyone?”

Zong Xing Yi’s brows relaxed in pleasure. He nodded and leaned back lazily. “Yeah, plenty.”

Zhong Nian blinked, unsurprised. “I mean the kind like with Qian Shao—life-or-death blood feuds.”

Zong Xing Yi’s eyes narrowed. He sat up straight again and asked in a low voice, “Why are you asking?”

The atmosphere in the box shifted slightly. Guan Shan Yue stayed quiet on the side, watching them intently.

If Zhong Nian’s previous question had been a bit abrupt, this one was outright overstepping and rude.

Zhong Nian swallowed, but he steeled himself under their gazes. “Just curious.”

He had thought about it. The gang planting the bomb couldn’t be targeting just one person. Otherwise, they could’ve handled it like they did with Qian Shao—find a chance to take them out alone. No need for such elaborate trouble.

So it had to be aimed at a group.

Just jealousy of the rich?

They wouldn’t risk their own lives for that.

There had to be something more complicated behind it.

“I know—you’re worried about me, right?”

Zhong Nian was lost in thought when the Eldest Young Master beside him suddenly spoke in an embarrassed tone, catching him off guard.

Zhong Nian: “Huh?”

“Don’t worry, I’ll be fine.” Zong Xing Yi gripped the hand he hadn’t let go of, scratched his burning ear, and murmured shyly, “Thanks. I get how you feel.”

“…?”

Zhong Nian was baffled. He looked up at Guan Shan Yue, hoping for an explanation from him.

But Guan Shan Yue didn’t catch his puzzled glance in time. His gray-green eyes were darkly inscrutable as they dropped to the hands clasped between Zhong Nian and Zong Xing Yi, his thoughts unreadable.

Rich people are so weird, Zhong Nian grumbled inwardly.

Then, the most baffling Eldest Young Master did something even stranger.

He told Zhong Nian to come with him to his room on the 10th Floor, saying he had something to give him.

On the way, Zhong Nian glanced at the four bodyguards trailing behind, then stared at the back of Zong Xing Yi’s head ahead of him.

He couldn’t figure out Zong Xing Yi’s intentions.

If it were anyone else taking him to their room like this, he’d think twice, but Zong Xing Yi’s principles—different from other spoiled brats in certain ways—strangely put him at ease.

With a ding, the elevator stopped at the 10th Floor.

“You guys guard outside,” Zong Xing Yi told the bodyguards. After opening his exclusive suite, he even said quite gentlemanly to Zhong Nian, “Please, come in.”

Zhong Nian was a bit confused about who the actual server was here.

The 10th Floor had only three rooms, used by Zong Sheng Guan. They were the most luxurious suites on the entire ship.

The space was enormously spacious, with a private terrace and outdoor pool. The sofa underfoot as soon as you entered showed its superior quality.

While Zhong Nian was still looking around, Zong Xing Yi opened his safe and took out a palm-sized box.

“For you.”

Zhong Nian took it. “Should I deliver it to someone?”

“It’s for you. Open it and see.” Zong Xing Yi said.

Zhong Nian was surprised but stayed cautious as he carefully opened the wooden box.

The box looked ordinary, and the item inside was nothing special either—a Blood Sandalwood Bracelet.

From its grain and color, it was clearly old, emanating a faint, warm woody fragrance.

“Do you like it? It’s yours.” Zong Xing Yi watched his reaction like it was his first time giving a gift to his crush—extremely nervous, terrified it wouldn’t suit his taste or that he’d be rejected.

“I think I still…”

Zhong Nian didn’t finish refusing before Zong Xing Yi grabbed his wrist and forcibly slipped the wooden bracelet on.

“It suits you perfectly!”

The Blood Sandalwood Bracelet fit just right and complemented his skin tone, making that section of Zhong Nian’s wrist look as white as jade.

The bracelet, which had seemed lifeless lying in the wooden box, now gleamed with a subtle luster.

Zong Xing Yi admired it happily and said, “I’ve been waiting for its owner. From the first moment I saw you, I knew it belonged to you.”

Zhong Nian didn’t quite understand his words, but he could tell Zong Xing Yi really wanted him to accept it.

“Just wear it, okay?” Zong Xing Yi pleaded with earnest eyes. For a moment, Zhong Nian felt like he was looking at some floppy-eared, wagging-tail dog breed.

Zhong Nian nodded reluctantly. “…Sure.”

It didn’t look too expensive anyway. Guests tipping with little gifts or gratuities was normal.

Zong Xing Yi was more excited than the recipient. “You accept it!”

“Yeah.”

Zhong Nian was helpless, truly not understanding what this Eldest Young Master was so thrilled about.

Zong Xing Yi sought confirmation again. “So you’ve really agreed to it.”

“Yes, I have.”

“You’ll wear it properly?”

Zhong Nian sighed. “Yes, yes—”

“Then can I kiss you now?”

“Yeah, yeah… Huh?!”